Space food

Ryan Knox is taking part in the space food trial Doctors are examining if food given to astronauts can provide long-term help to children with Crohn's disease. The food is easier to digest because it contains treated amino acids, which can normally be difficult for the body to process. It has been found to have short-term benefits for patients with the digestive system disorder, but experts want to look at whether they continue. They will compare the space food - known technically as elemental feed - with the standard steroid treatment. Steroids can thin the bones of patients, but space food apparently has no side effects. The study, which is being carried out in four UK centres, hopes to recruit over 100 under-16s with Crohn's to take part over the next two years. However, for some patients, like 12 year-old Ryan Knox, from... [read full story]